Australia vs Scotland preview: What time does it start, what channel is it on and where can I watch it?
A look ahead to Australia's quarter final clash with Scotland at Twickenham
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The last Rugby World Cup quarter final will be decided at Twickenham on Sunday evening when Scotland confront Australia.
After battling their way out of a fiercly competative pool, Scotland now have their sights set on reaching the semi finals for the first time in 24 years, but to do so they will have to upset the odds and overcome an in-form Australian team who are now second favorites to go on and win the World Cup for a record-breaking third time.
It’s a big game for…
Matt Giteau: This time last year, he would have been thinking “I wonder what media opportunities I can get.” Now though, he’s set to make his 100th cap for Australia, thanks to his head coach changing the rules to return him to the fray. Also making a full century is captain Stephen Moore.
Teams...
Australia: Kurtley Beale; Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell; Bernard Foley, Will Genia; Ben McCalman, Michael Hooper, Scott Fardy; Rob Simmons, Kane Douglas; Sekope Kepu, Stephen Moore, Scott Sio.
Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Slipper, Greg Holmes, Dean Mumm, Sean McMahon, Nick Phipps, Matt Toomua, Quade Cooper.
Scotland: Stuart Hogg; Sean Maitland, Mark Bennett, Peter Horne, Tommy Seymour; Finn Russell, Greig Laidlaw; David Denton, John Hardie, Blair Cowan; Richie Gray, Tim Swinson; WP Nel, Fraser Brown, Alasdair Dickinson.
Replacements: Kevin Bryce, Gordon Reid, Jon Welsh, Alasdair Strokosch, Josh Strauss, Henry Pyrgos, Richard Vernon, Sean Lamont.
Best stat…
32.14%: This is Scotland’s win rate against the Wallabies in 28 fixtures over 86 years. This is also their highest success rate against one of the Southern Hempisphere's big three, even though they have scored more points against the All Blacks (332 as opposed to 330 against Australia.)
Remember when…
Scotland last beat Australia at Murrayfield? In an incredibly tight contest, Phil Godman and Giteau exchanged first half penalties before Godman slotted a difficult penalty in the second half to give the hosts the lead. They never relinquished that lead, despite a last minute try from Ryan Cross as an earlier drop goal from Chris Paterson kept the Wallabies at bay.
Player to watch…
Greig Laidlaw: Scotland’s captain is owed much by his country, not least for saving them from elimination at the pool stages last weekend. He fights for his shirt week in, week out, while under huge pressure as he takes on responsibilties that come with leading the side and kicking at goal. If not for his intervention against Samoa, we could be watching Japan making their first quarter final contest.
Past three-meetings…
Scotland 15 - Australia 21 (Falou, Feauai-Sautia) Autumn Internationals, November 2013.
Australia 6 - Scotland 9 Summer Internationals, June 2012.
Scotland 9 – Australia 8 (Cross) Autumn Internationals November 2009.
Path to the World Cup quarter finals...
Australia: WWWW. Pool A winners
Scotland: WWLW. Pool B runner up.
Vital information…
KICK-OFF TIME: 16.00 Sunday 18th October
TV: Live on ITV, highlights on ITV.
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